2026.07.28
On July 10, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) signed a Record of Discussions (R/D) with the Government of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan in Islamabad, the country’s capital, on the framework for implementing the technical cooperation project “The Project for Improvement of Management Capacity of Water Supply Services in the City of Abbottabad.”
The signatures were exchanged between Senior Joint Secretary Miran Mohiyuddin Soomro of the Economic Affairs Division (EAD) and Chief Representative Shinozaki Yusuke of JICA Pakistan Office, in the presence of Secretary Muhammad Humair Karim of EAD.
Signing ceremony
The Project aims to provide sustainable water supply services in Abbottabad City, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province which is located in the northern part of Pakistan, by strengthening the operational and management capacity of Water and Sanitation Services Company, Abbottabad (WSSC-A), the city’s water utility.
In Abbottabad City, ensuring stable and sustainable urban water supply services has become a key challenge, given that water is currently supplied for only about three hours on average every other day, compounded by rapid population growth and the impacts of climate change.
WSSC-A faces technical and financial challenges, including insufficient capacity for the operation and maintenance of water supply facilities, low flat-rate tariffs, and a financial situation heavily dependent on subsidies. The Project will enhance the sustainability of water utility services by strengthening the implementation and monitoring of its business plan, improving water distribution management capacity, strengthening water quality management systems, and supporting the introduction and institutionalization of a metered tariff system by leveraging the knowledge and experience accumulated through Japan’s longstanding efforts to promote public health and expand water supply coverage.
The Project is positioned under the JICA Global Agenda “Sustainable Water Resources Management and Water Supply” and will contribute to the Government of Japan’s Kumamoto Initiative for Water(*) which promotes the development of “Quality Water Supply Systems”. It is also expected to strengthen local resilience through climate change adaptation, efficient water use, and conservation of water-source environments.
*Kumamoto Initiative for Water is Japan’s international contribution strategy for the water sector, announced by Former Prime Minister Kishida Fumio at the 4th Asia-Pacific Water Summit held in Kumamoto City in April 2022. The initiative aims to address challenges facing the Asia-Pacific region, including floods, droughts, water pollution, inadequate sanitation, and climate change.
The project outline is explained below.
・Country (Target Area)
Islamic Republic of Pakistan
(Water supply service area of WSSC-A in Abbottabad City, Abbottabad District, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province)
・Project Objective
WSSC-A’s capacity to manage water supply services is strengthened.
・Implementation Period (Planned)
48 months
・Implementing Agency
Water and Sanitation Services Company, Abbottabad（WSSC-A）
・Contribution to the SDGs
Goal 3 (Good Health and Well-Being)
Goal 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation)
Goal 13 (Climate Action)
Sns share!
